NATHAN EAST

Bass

A founding member of Fourplay, East was 16 years old when he got his first break and found himself on the road with Barry White. The next time the phone rang, Quincy Jones was on the line. The calls kept coming and for the last forty years, East has been churning out hit songs with artists like Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder. His genre-crossing bass-groove has earned him the recognition and the boundary-busting respect of his peers, illustrated by his current appearances on two hit records as diverse as Andrea Bocelli’s “Passione” and Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”. For years, friends had encouraged him to release a solo album, but: “I always felt, especially as a bassist, that a solo album was a very difficult thing to try to come up with. I’m used to a more supportive role playing as a sideman.” In the end, joined by a veritable who’s who of fellow musicians and vocalists, East immersed himself in the studio experience. In the spirit of Nathan, the CD is energized with relentless generosity as he leads – and cedes – the way for his friends and fellow musicians to shine. “They’re calling it a solo album – I consider it everybody’s record.” This “everybody’s record” also includes a duet with his 13-year old son Noah on piano.